Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y

by Eugenia Cheng

Aspiring bakers will embrace this charming picture book about baking pie by using simple math, from one of the world’s most creative and celebrated mathematicians.

X + Y are dreaming of baking infinite pie. But they don’t know if infinite pie is real. With the help of quirky and uber-smart Aunt Z, and a whole lot of flour and butter, X and Y will learn that by using math they can bake their way to success!

This charming and tasty story from mathematician and author of How to Bake Pi, Eugenia Cheng, reassures young readers that math doesn’t have to be scary—especially when paired with pie!

Additional back matter a letter from Eugenia encouraging readers not to be intimidated by math, explanations of the math concepts explored in the book, and a recipe for Banana Butterscotch Pie!

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Childrens, Food, Science, Stem

Audible Audio

Published February 15, 2022

About the author

Eugenia Cheng is a mathematician, pianist, and lecturer. She is passionate about ridding the world of math-phobia. Eugenia’s first book, How to Bake Pi, has been an international success. Molly’s Mathematical Adventure is her first children's book.

Reviews

[ReGina · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a non-mathematical person who taught math to elementary students, I have great appreciation for this book because it uses everyday activities to explain much deeper mathematical concepts. I would have given this a much lower score, however, if it weren't for the author's addendum, which really does explain the concepts well. Except one. I would have given this book a five if she, at any point, actually explained infinity or how things are deemed finite. And as the children use the expression in colloquial ways as well, this doesn't help define it. While there are infinite ways you can make pie, the pie itself is not infinite. It's an important nuance that isn't addressed. But so many other concepts are that I still give this a four. However, that's a major omission as far as I'm concerned.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

X and Y are kids who dream of making a pie infinitely wide and infinitely tall, so they ask Aunt Z for help. She explains that there are infinite ways to make a pie. Aunt Z helps them make pie crust - which they roll out in different shapes, a triangle, a square and a circle. They choose fillings that match their shapes. When the pies are ready, they discuss how to eat them - there is a way to make them last until infinity. And what about the extra dough, how many corners can we make, and how many circles?

The story presented the concept of "infinite" in an understandable way. Calling the children X and Y and the aunt Z however, really made this a book just about math. I wish there was a different way to have expressed their personalities other than doing that. It limits the interest. I don't see kids picking this up on their own.

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. I wish that the characters actually had names rather than X, Y, and Aunt Z. It just made it feel too much like a strange math problem than an actual "family" story about baking and all the "math" that comes along with it. The entire time I spent reading the book, I just remember thinking that no child will willingly pick this up to read unless they just LOVE math already.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does a fine job of breaking down the concept of infinity and uses mathematical concepts for the characters which is fun. The story line and other literary elements are a little week but that is made up for in the content.

[Serenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure a kid would want to pick this up and read it for fun, but it would be a good read aloud for a math class or to introduce some of the concepts.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for STEM picture books that teach STEM concepts, not just biographies. This was a sweet book that my 5yr old and 8yr old cracked open immediately and asked to be read multiple times. And I feel that they're getting more out of every reading, because the book touches on so many mathematical ideas in a totally age-appropriate way. (My only one tiny criticism is that idea that a circle pie has infinite corners is only really explained through the illustrations, not text, so some readers may miss it.) The backmatter goes into just a tiny bit more detail on each of the concepts that come up in the story, perfect for kids or grown-ups who want a bit more explanation. Just beware, it might make you hungry if you're reading this story at bedtime, the illustrated pies look so good!

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

X and Y, along with their aunt Z, bake a pie and ponder the math that goes into baking in general. I often remember my grandma pointing out that there's a lot of math in baking, and then later making the connection that this was the only "math" I'd ever be good at. But she's right, especially when the three get into making puff pastry. In the end, the math is delicious. I also enjoyed reading the definitions in the glossary. It was a very accessible way to introduce complex ideas to a younger audience.

[Neri · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book might not delve into deep mathematical concepts (and let's be honest, what small child needs that?), it ignited a love for Maths in my child (7yrs old). That initial spark of curiosity is priceless.

You can also find author’s talks on Maths education- worth having a look for a better undertanding on where and how this book delivers.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creative way to introduce a few math concepts by baking pieces in different shapes and cutting them different ways. The story unfolds with the two kids' aunt who indulges them in baking and they get creative about how to bake and eat it.

After the story is done, there's a two-page spread of math concepts that the book uses that can be used for culinary and math.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early elementary picture book about various math concepts like infinity, fractals, converging to zero, infinite combinations, exponentials, and more, all through the concrete example of baking pies.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Math concepts shown through baking may help some readers to visualize these ideas. A useful glossary of mathematical terms follows the story.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all the different things that come up -- infinity, x and y axes, vertex and side counts (especially of a circle!), fractals, combinations, and more!

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinity is such a fun and mind-warping concept, I think kids will have so much fun with this book! You could spend so much time just talking about a single 2 page spread.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for kids (K-2nd) who are math lovers.

[Tricia Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cover to cover a delight. Adored the end message about building confidence with complex Math concepts. Great for classroom libraries.

[Maggie Wieczorek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable with easily digestible explanations of the math concepts that inspired the story!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A math lesson wrapped into a story about pie. Readers learn about reaching infinity through baking pies.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of math ideas here, but nothing was as developed as I would like. The book started off with rhyming, but it didn't continue through the whole book. Fun pictures.

[M.A.Stanglfam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful fun math book. Loved it. Hani and Hadlai loved X and Y and Auntie Z. Loved the ideas and thought the math ideas were fun, Hani loved the idea of infinite pies going up to the sky